More than 2.7 billion transactions were processed by automated teller machines in the first six months of the current fiscal year (March 20- Sept. 21), indicating a slight decline compared to 2.66 billion in the same period last year.
The highest monthly number of ATM transactions in the first half of the current year was in the fourth month (June 21- July 22).
ATMs processed 484.6 million transactions during the sixth month (Aug 21-Sep 21), according to data released by the Central Bank of Iran.
By September 21, there were 59,656 ATMs in Iran. Tehran Province alone had 46,198 machines by the end of the sixth month. The number of bank ATMs was reported at 58,679 during the same month of the previous fiscal year.
Bank Melli Iran, the biggest lender, topped the list with 8,106 machines. Bank Saderat Iran was next at 5,168. Bank Mellat and Bank Sepah came after with 4,907 and 4,215, respectively.
BMI also recorded the highest number of transactions last month with 113.231 million transactions. Bank Refah, affiliated to the Social Security Organization, had 47.7 million transaction.
CBI data showed that Tehran Province's share of transactions was 96.5 million -- or 21% of the total.
Clients collectively used 111.6 million bankcards (including debit cards, gift cards and credit cards) during the month to August 21. This was 0.36% lower compared to the month before.
Debit Cards Rule
In Iran debit cards are the most widely used and account for almost 95% of the total. Bank-issued gift cards are next with 3.8%.
Bank Melli Iran is the leader when it comes to issuing debit and gift cards, with 22% and 16% share of the market, respectively. Mellat and Tejarat, two major privatized lenders, topped the list of credit card issuers during the period, respectively with 24.7% and 24.4%.
ATM is the most popular banking outlet in the country of 83 million. A considerable number of bank customers rely on ATMs rather than other applications and online platforms.
ATM is in its third decade of existence in Iran. Bank Sepah, the first Iranian bank, was the first to introduce the machine in 1992 by installing it in its main branch in central Tehran, issuing 100 debit cards only for its managers.
Banks have been asked by the government to renovate their network of ATM devices, rather than expanding it. Recent technology, like ATM recycler (ATMR), Virtual Teller Machines and cashless ATMs are among proposed improvements that banks can consider.
